Nepal will take on the United Arab Emirates in the final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 on Saturday, September 12, at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur, with a direct berth at the 2027 Asia Cup awarded to the winner.
Quick Answer / Key Update
Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached the final of the 2026 ACC Men’s Premier Cup after winning their respective semi-finals. Nepal defended a modest 147 to beat Oman by 87 runs, while UAE chased down a small Hong Kong total inside 12 overs. Only the winner of Saturday’s final secures a direct spot at the 2027 Asia Cup.
What Happened?
The ACC Men’s Premier Cup is the top tier of men’s cricket among the Asian Cricket Council’s associate member nations, sitting below the ten full ICC members such as India and Pakistan. Ten nations competed in this year’s tournament in Malaysia, split into two groups of five. Group A featured Nepal, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, while Group B contained the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Singapore, with matches played at the Bayuemas Oval and UKM-YSD ground.
Latest Update
In the semi-finals, Nepal were bowled out for just 147 batting first but bowled out Oman for 60, winning by 87 runs behind three-wicket hauls from Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee. In the other semi-final, the UAE chased down a small Hong Kong total inside 12 overs to reach the final. Nepal’s Ishan Pandey is the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 152 runs.
Why Is This Trending?
With direct qualification for the 2027 Asia Cup at stake, this final carries significant weight for both associate nations, drawing strong interest from fans in Nepal and the UAE who are following their teams’ push for a place among Asia’s top cricketing sides.
Match Details
Tournament: ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 Final: Nepal vs United Arab Emirates Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 Venue: Bayuemas Cricket Oval, Kuala Lumpur Stakes: Winner secures a direct berth at the 2027 Asia Cup
Teams and Path to the Final
Nepal topped Group A and beat Oman by 87 runs in the semi-final, with Ishan Pandey their leading batter across the tournament. The UAE finished top of Group B and defeated Hong Kong in their semi-final to reach the summit clash. Hong Kong and Oman will meet in the third-place play-off.
What Happens Next?
The winner of Saturday’s final at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval will earn direct qualification for the 2027 Asia Cup, while the runner-up will need to go through the qualification process for a place in the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is playing in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 final?
Nepal will face the United Arab Emirates in the final on September 12, 2026.
What does the winner of the final receive?
The winner earns a direct berth at the 2027 Asia Cup.
How did Nepal reach the final?
Nepal defended a total of 147 to beat Oman by 87 runs in the semi-final.
Who is the tournament’s top run-scorer?
Nepal’s Ishan Pandey leads the tournament with 152 runs.
Final Takeaway
Nepal and the UAE will contest a high-stakes ACC Men’s Premier Cup final in Kuala Lumpur, with a direct spot at the 2027 Asia Cup on the line. Both sides have earned their place through strong semi-final wins, setting up what promises to be a closely fought summit clash.
Also read: Nepal also play in Group A at the Asian Games in Japan. See the Nepal squad in our Asian Games 2026 cricket team list.
